HelenKay Dimon

After many hours at O’Hare Airport…what fun…I am in Pittsburgh. Tomorrow is the first workshop, followed by what I expect to be many hours of chatting with fellow authors, followed by hunting down my editor to say hello. Yeah, it’s a busy day.

To celebrate the fact American Airlines got me here (as opposed to its track record for getting anyone anywhere last week), I am giving away a copy of WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS. My July release, HARD AS NAILS, is a follow-up to my novella in WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS. This will give you a chance to read the first novella before buying HARD AS NAILS (hint, hint).

Here’s the novella:

HARDHATS AND SILK STOCKINGS

Hannah Bridges is the most infuriating woman architect Whit Thomas has ever met – and the sexiest. If he could just get the tough contractor to stop proving herself at every turn, they might have time to discuss more important things, like his hands on her … blue prints. What Hannah needs is a night of pure bliss that’s all about her: no regrets, no control, no limits. Now, in a private room where pleasure is the only goal, Hannah is about to receive a delicious education in total ecstasy …

Leave a comment here and you’re entered to win. Good luck!!

Actually, I likely am in transit to Pittsburgh for the RT Convention as you read this. While I’m in the capable hands of the good folks at American Airlines [ahem], you have another chance to win a book. I started giving books away on Monday. You can check there for the rules. Also remember that you still can sign up for the giveaways from earlier in the week. I’ll pick all of the winners this weekend.

Today’s book is…HOW TO PROPOSE TO A PRINCE by Kathryn Caskie. I actually have two copies of this one, so there will be two lucky winners. Post a comment here about Caskie, her books, historical romance or anything relevant and you’ll be entered to win a copy. The only requirement is that you provide a review/some thoughts on the book either here or at your own blog.

If the tiara fits, wear it!

Refusing to surrender her dreams of a royal wedding, Elizabeth takes the position of lady-in-waiting to the fiancée, determined to get close to her perfect match. But the lover she desires is not who he seems . . . and only once she discovers the true man behind the crown will she find the perfect love she’s been longing for all her life.

Good luck!!

Alyssa (from Alyssa’s Book Blog) reviewed RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW and gave it 4.5 stars (out of a possible 5). She said lovely things, so I adore her. Actually, I pretty much adored her before this because she strikes me as a strong supporter of romance novelists, but now I just adore her more. Here’s what she had to say (you can read the entire review by clicking on the link):

…the final confrontation doesn’t happen the way you might expect it to, and that’s what made Right Here, Right Now such a strong book for me. This book also features one of the most memorable, emotion-filled love scenes I’ve read this year.

If, like me, you’ve been lamenting the shortage of contemporary romance, Right Here, Right Now is one you’ll want to pick up.

And we have another giveaway. The rules are the same as yesterday. The book today is DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DELICIOUS by Christie Craig. Christie was nice enough to sign this for me (for you, really). I met Christie and she is a hoot. I think you’ll really enjoy the book. Comment about Christie, her writing, the book, romantic comedy or anything remotely related to the blog post today and you’re entered…

Here’s the copy:

Ever since photographer Lacy Maguire caught her ex playing Pin the Secretary to the Elevator Wall, she’s been content with her dog Fabio, her three cats, and a vow of chastity. But all that changes when the reindeer-antlered Fabio drags in a very desperate, on-the-run detective who decides to take refuge in her house–a house filled with twinkling lights and a decorated tree. (Okay, so it’s February. but she has a broken heart to mend, a Christmas-card shoot to do, and a six-times divorced, match-making mother to appease.) For the first time in a looong while, Lacy reconsiders her vow. Because sexy Chase Kelly, wounded soul that he may be, would be an oh-so-delicious way of breaking her fast. Now, if she can just keep them both alive and him out of jail…

Good luck!

It is Romantic Times Convention week. I will be at RT this year and am speaking on two panels. The first is with Ann Christopher and Sasha White. The subject of that workshop is NO MORE LAZY SCENES, and its on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. The second is the CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE RENAISSANCE panel with Lori Wilde, Leanne Banks, Jamie Denton and Sarah Strohmeyer. That one is on Friday at 10:00 a.m. I will also be signing at the Bookfair from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Please stop by and say hello if you’re going to be at RT.

While I’m gone…

Seems like this would be a good time to give away some books. The rules are the same as always: if you win, you have to post a review/comments on the book on your website (or mine if you don’t have one) by May 20th. You don’t have to love the book, you just have to be respectful in your comments. The first book is UNLAWFUL CONTACT by Pamela Clare. I started this one and plan to finish it on the plane. I have a separate copy for you because you can’t have mine. Clare writes gritty, smart and authentic romantic suspense. I read her books and wish I could write like her. She’s really good. But that’s my view. Leave a comment here between now and Sunday and you’ll be entered to win your own copy.

The copy:

Taken hostage by a convicted murderer while reporting at a prison, Sophie Alton has no idea that the man holding the gun to her head is the bad boy who was her first love in high school. Condemned to life without parole, Marc Hunter finds himself with no choice but to break out of prison after his younger sister disappears with her baby.

Though he regrets what he has to put Sophie through, he can’t let anything get in the way of his stopping the corrupt officials who are set on destroying what’s left of his family. But being near Sophie rekindles memories for both of them. As the passion between them heats up, so does the conspiracy to put both of them in their graves.

Good luck!!

I was looking through a stack of books and one cover grabbed my attention. I’m not sure I like it – can’t quite figure out if I do or not – but it works in that it made me pick up the book first, read the back cover and page through it. The book is A FIEND IN NEED by Maureen Child. Here’s the cover and blurb:

It’s only been a month since single mom Cassie Burke unexpectedly became the hottest demon killer in town-and already there’s a price on her head and a website calling for her murder.

After a few not-quite-chaste nights, Cassie knows why Queen Vanessa wants him back so badly-and why she’s planning an all-out attack on her. Suddenly Cassie’s wondering if she can fend off an entire city of demons-and if a little faery tail is even worth it…

Yes, I know that demons are the new black and you’re all sick of ‘em. Frankly, faeries in romance novels aren’t my thing either. Still, this strikes me as potentially very funny. I’m going to give it a try.

Anyone else read it?

I read a story in USA Today about a professor named Randy Pausch. Apparently there’s a tradition at Carnegie Mellon University (where he teached) that one professor a year gives a speech as if it’s the last one the professor will ever give. For Pausch, it was. He’s dying of pancreatic cancer. He has a wife and three young kids. The guy is only 47.

The speech got a lot of play in newspapers. Now it’s a book. It’s called THE LAST LECTURE. Pausch wrote it while undergoing chemo…and dying. I’m thinking it’s a bit Tuesdays With Morie and a little like All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. Frankly, who cares. Any way you look at it, it’s a moving story.

Still think you don’t have time to write?

I’m a Meg Cabot fan. Don’t read much of her YA stuff, but do read her adult titles. I enjoy her voice. It’s flirty and funny. My favorite series of hers is over. At least I think it’s over. It’s the one with these titles: SIZE 12 IS NOT FAT, SIZE 14 IS NOT FAT EITHER and BIG BONED.

I finished BIG BONED last night and have just one thing to say about the ending…awwwww. The romance reader in me is happy. The romance author part of me – the part that likes to analyze what works in books – is a bit confused on how Cabot got from Point A to Point B so fast and without clueing me in. But the reader is a satisfied woman. Somehow Cabot makes these situations work. Not sure how, but she does.

Feeling better. Now trying to get caught up. And not succeeding…

A friend gave me an article from Newsweek about how you can design your own font. Yes, for those who do not like the million fonts out there, you can create your own. The article gave some examples of specially designed fonts, including ones used for bjork and Obama.

According to the article, we are obsessed with fonts. Honestly, my hubby sort of is, so I found this fascinating:

Like me, America has developed a geeky obsession with fonts, the latest instance of our sophistication about design. “Helvetica,” a documentary about one font’s history, played to sold-out audiences when it came out last year. Basic font knowledge has become mandatory for anybody in the know—”Knowledge of Fonts” was actually a category on “Jeopardy!” Even Barack Obama has a custom font. “I always used to dread having to explain to a stranger what I do for a living,” says Matthew Carter, a typographer who has been in the business for more than 50 years—he designed the font of the AT&T phone book, as well as NEWSWEEK’s. “Nowadays, you can have an intelligent conversation with a 9-year-old about font.”

I actually was looking for a new obsession, and I’m thinking this one will work. Now I must figure out how (and how much this costs) to do this.

Feeling kind of crappy today. Woke up with a cold – sore throat and general bleck feeling. I’ve decided to spend the day lounging on the couch and feeling sorry for myself.

Bet you wish you were here to experience my pathetic behavior…

I am guest blogging with bam, known to some as Dionne (It’s Not Chick Porn) today. The topic is the Page 99 Rule. Don’t know what it is? Stop over and see.